A tragic gas cylinder explosion at a paying guest accommodation in Bengaluru claimed the life of a young IT professional and left three others injured on Monday evening. The incident has raised serious questions about safety norms in shared housing facilities across the city.
Evening Blast Triggers Panic
The explosion occurred at approximately 6:30 pm at the Seven Hills Sai Co-Living PG located in Kundalahalli, within the limits of the HAL police station. According to preliminary reports from investigators, a commercial liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinder exploded in the kitchen area of the building.
The blast triggered a massive fire that quickly spread, engulfing parts of the structure in flames and filling it with thick, dense smoke. The sudden explosion and subsequent fire caused immediate panic among the residents.
Casualties and Rescue Operations
The deceased has been identified as Aravind, 23, a native of Ballari and the son of Manjunath K. He worked as a senior analyst at a private software firm in Whitefield. Aravind sustained severe burn injuries in the blast and tragically succumbed during treatment.
The three injured occupants were rushed to Brookfield Hospital for medical care. Police have named them as Venkatesh, 28, from Kurnool; Vishal Verma, 23, from Uttarakhand; and C V Goel, 25, also from Uttarakhand. Authorities have confirmed that all three are currently in stable condition.
Upon receiving alerts from local residents, fire and rescue services personnel rushed to the scene. The six-storeyed building, which contains 43 rooms, was swiftly evacuated by police teams. Firefighters managed to bring the flames under control after a concerted effort.
Investigation into Safety Lapses Launched
The HAL police have registered a case and initiated a detailed investigation to determine the precise cause of the explosion. A key focus of the probe is to ascertain whether safety regulations governing the use of commercial LPG cylinders were being properly followed at the PG accommodation.
Officials stated that the PG facility houses around 40 occupants, but it remains unclear how many were present inside the building at the time of the incident. The investigation will also examine the general fire safety measures and compliance standards at the co-living space.
This incident has once again highlighted the potential hazards in densely populated shared accommodations, particularly concerning the storage and usage of cooking gas. It underscores the urgent need for strict adherence to safety protocols to prevent such devastating accidents in the future.
